Advertise on podcast: Torah Portions

This is our d'rash (commentary) on the torah portion, Naso or "take the sum." In this portion, the text continues to describe the division of the Levitical families and their duties concerning the transport of the Sanctuary. It also introduces us to the Ordeal of Jealousy and the vows of a Nazirite. In these two contrasting principles we see how disdainful it is when one does not walk above reproach compared to the one who separates himself from the world more than others by taking a vow of a nazir. Blessings! Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Naso.pdf

This is our d'rash (commentary) on the torah portion, Bemidbar or "in the wilderness." In this portion, we see how the tribes were numbered and assigned into four different camps. These camps with their respective standards are seen as the equivalent of the four living creatures who surround the Throne of God. We also how the Levitical families served as a "bodyguard" to the palace (mishkan) of the King. This is a very interesting portion and I hope you will enjoy the teaching. Blessings! Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Bemidbar.pdf

This is our d'rash (commentary) on the torah portion, Bechukotai or "in my statutes." In this portion, the Scripture describes the blessings that come with obedience and details the judgments that come with disobedience. In this sidrah, Israel is warned that blatant disregard for God's commands have terrible consequences, in fact, five groups of seven punishments, each worse than the previous one. Yet, we also see that these punishments are not meant to destroy His people but to provoke them to repentance. This one is kind of special to me because this "my" torah portion - the one read the week and year I was born. Blessings! Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Bechukotai.pdf

This is our d'rash (commentary) on the torah portion, Be'har or "on the mount." In this portion, the Scripture details two other commands of rest - the sh'mittah (sabbatical year) and the yovel (jubilee). One of the prevailing concepts in this sidrah is that the land is God's and is, therefore, expected to be in His service as well as His people. As we see in this portion, where the land is concerned, His people are considered "strangers" and "settlers" or, if you will, tenants with the responsibility to produce spiritual fruit as well as physical. Hope you enjoy! Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Behar.pdf

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Emor – “say.” This torah portion turns its attention back to the priests and their responsibility to maintain higher standards of purity. Though addressing the priests, we who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light to be a royal priesthood should take note of the fact that, the Creator expects more from His people than He does those who are not. We are not permitted to excuse ourselves from our responsibility to be a light to the nations just because we wish to be like everybody else. To the contrary, our purpose is to sanctify His Name among the nations even if it means our life. We also see how on a couple of occasions, there seems to be exceptions made to the rigid standards God imposed upon the priests. In these seeming "exceptions" we see that God's standard is not relaxed but His primary attribute - mercy for those He loves - supersedes all. I hope you enjoy! Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Emor.pdf

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Kedoshim – “Holy.” If  the previous portion begins what is regarded as lev ha'torah (the heart of the Torah), this portion is the "heart of the heart." This sidrah defines the call to Israel to be holy "because I the LORD your God am holy." This portion emphasizes the need to be holy - kadosh (set apart) - but in the right way and for the right purpose. While we cannot imitate God's purity entirely, we can imitate His attributes in that He is merciful, kind and generous. These traits manifest in how we treat parents, the stranger and people we do business with. Furthermore, because He is not aloof from the world, neither should we be aloof, meaning, though we are in the world we are not to partake of the world's deeds. We must be separate from them and, yet, still provide light to them. The sidrah also provides us with what many rabbis consider the "sum of the Torah" - the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." According to Y'shua, this command and the command to "love the LORD your God" summarizes, and is the basis for, all the other commands. This is at the heart of how we are to be "holy." Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kedoshim.pdf

This is a commentary on the Torah portion Acharei Mot – “After the death.” This portion begins what is regarded as lev ha'torah (the heart of the Torah) and emphasizes how the Creator is to be approached and uses the death of Aaron's sons to make the point that it must not be done "at all times." The first section details the protocol and procedures of Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. In this we see shades of Y'shua's sacrifice as our heavenly High Priest as well as accentuating the fact that our Father is holy and, as his priests, we are not to disregard that holiness. The sidrah also addresses the pollution of idols, the sanctity of blood and forbidden relationships - all principles addressed in the letter sent from Jerusalem to the new believers in Acts 15. Hope you enjoy. Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Acharei-Mot.pdf